Method and device for producing a profiled edge section for a glass pane

ABSTRACT

In the case of a process for manufacturing a trim or profiled surround, made of a polymer material, on a window, the downwards-facing edge region of which bears on a moulding bed, the mould surface of which constitutes an extension of the surface of the window beyond its perimeter, the polymer material being placed over at least a portion of the perimeter of that surface of the pane lying at the top in such a way that a profiled surround is produced, with defined external dimensions and with a smooth transition, on the surface of the pane lying at the bottom, projecting beyond the perimeter of the window and bounded by the mould surface of the moulding bed, which surround also covers the edge face projecting from the moulding bed, means are used, according to the invention, to prevent adhesion of the profiled surround to the edge face of the window projecting from the moulding bed. The said means may be in the form of a mask which, during application of the polymer material, bears on the edge face so as to keep it free and which is removed after the profiled surround has solidified.  
     A device suitable for implementing the process is also described.

[0001] The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a trim on awindow having the features indicated in the preamble of claim 1 and tothe corresponding device having the features indicated in the preambleof the secondary claim 11.

[0002] Document DE-C1-42.32 554 discloses a process having these genericfeatures, in which a glass window rests, during application of the trimby the extrusion of a polymer material, on what is called a mouldingbed. The latter is located in an edge region of the window on its lowersurface and forms, on the perimeter face of the window, an extension ofthe lower surface of the window. During this time, the edge face and theopposite surface of the window remain free. The trim is formed as asurround along the edge of the free surface of the window and around theedge of the window and it also covers the edge face of the window.Thanks to the moulding bed, the outline of the trim is bounded a waythat it extends level with the other surface (on the side of themoulding bed) of the window. The process is described in the case ofmonolithic glass windows.

[0003] It is also known (from document DE-A1-43 26 650) to fit byextrusion, onto a monolithic glass window, a trim which grips at leastthe edge of one of the surfaces of the window and its edge face. Thetrim comes level with the opposite surface of the window. In thisprocess, the extrusion nozzle itself—or an extension placed on it, whichis mechanically integral therewith—forms the boundary of the trim crosssection on the window surface not covered by the trim. A stationarymoulding bed is not necessary in this case.

[0004] In a preferred application, the trims are used for fittingwindows into the correct position and for sealing them, the windowsbeing adhesively bonded in the window openings of vehicle bodywork. Itis not necessary for them, in all cases, to go around the entireperimeter of the windows they can also be provided along just threeedges, in special cases along just two edges or even along just one edgeand, if necessary, even along just parts of a single edge. These trimsmust, of course, adhere very strongly to the windows—which are usuallymade of glass but are also increasingly made of plastic. To guaranteethis good adhesion, the substrates must be clean, free of grease, etc.Furthermore, they must usually be coated, in the corresponding regions,with adhesion promoters, also called primers. For each trim material,there is a corresponding primer. In the abovementioned publications,this is discussed exhaustively, the trim also having to adhere to theperimeter face, that is to say to the edge faces or thin edges of thewindows.

[0005] It must be clearly understood that the process to be describedhere may be suitable not only for the furnishing of transparent windowswith a trim but also used in the case of other substrates of the glazingkind.

[0006] Now, when composite glazing (by this is meant, in the case ofvehicles, above all the front windows or windscreens, but alsoincreasingly, the side windows or rear windows) formed from severalsolid panes made of glass and/or synthetic material and from adhesive(organic) interlayers have in particular to be provided with surroundingtrims of this kind, blistering and/or debonds may occur when theadhesive layers are closed off to the outside by the trim which adheresthereto. This has been observed in particular in the case of thecomposite glazing used most often, which is composed of two glass panesand an adhesive layer made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). In this case,blistering may form in the PVB after the trim has been applied to thecomposite glazing. Vehicle manufacturers wish above all to incorporatewindscreens into the bodywork in as flush and as smooth a manner aspossible, without an edge slot, so as to minimize wind resistance, windnoise and also susceptibility to contamination, and to achieve anaesthetically attractive appearance.

[0007] Again, a process has already been disclosed (in document DE-A1-4229 090) in which, in glazing made of composite glass with a PVB adhesivelayer, a peripheral edge slot is formed or left free in the plane of theadhesive layer, into which slot a trim with lips, made of a polymer,will be inserted later, so as to protrude from the peripheral edge ofthe composite glazing. For this purpose, the enveloping surfaces of thesaid edge slot are coated with an adhesion promoter. The polymermaterial is then extruded into the edge slot and beyond, in the form ofa protruding neck, by means of a suitable gauged extrusion nozzle.However, this process has not proved itself in practice.

[0008] Document DE-A1-198 43 843 discloses a window with a trim having aparticular cross section, which adheres only to one of the surfaces ofthis window while covering, however, a slot, with a partially cuneiformcross section, remaining free, in the mounted state, in a window openingof bodywork. This thus also results in a trim fitting approximatelyflush with the free surface of the window and in a smooth transitionwith the adjacent surface of the bodywork. In the case of use of thistrim, it is necessary, however, during the mounting procedure, to paygreater attention, compared with the abovementioned trims produced bymeans of a moulding bed, so as to place the trim in the intended finalposition.

[0009] The fundamental objective of the invention is to provide aprocess for manufacturing a trim on a window, in particular on acomposite window, by using a moulding bed, by virtue of which it ispossible to exclude the reciprocal effects between the materials of theadhesive layers of the composite, on the one hand, and of the trim, onthe other. Also proposed is a device suitable for carrying out theprocess and a composite window provided with a trim of this kind.

[0010] The objective is achieved, as regards the process according tothe invention, by means of the features indicated in claim 1. Thefeatures indicated in claim 11 refer to a corresponding device suitablefor carrying out the process described here according to the invention.The features indicated in the secondary claims, subordinated each timeto the independent claims, refer to advantageous improvements to theprocess or to the device.

[0011] Generally speaking, agents are used to prevent adhesion of thepolymer material to the edge face of the windows, this edge faceremaining capable of being ventilated. In particular, when applying thetrim to composite windows, any direct adhering contact between thepolymer material and the composite adhesive layer or layers isprevented. This ventilation is necessary, above all, when usinghygroscopic PVB as the adhesive layer. The process, independently of theforegoing, can of course be used without more ado should it benecessary, both for monolithic glazing and for other substrates.

[0012] It is preferred to use, as polymer material, thermoplasticpolymers such as polyolefins, vinyl polymers and styrene polymers, italso being possible, however, for the process to be used sensibly withother polymer materials, such as, for example, with thermoplasticpolycondensates.

[0013] A preferred way of preventing the adhesion consists, firstly, inapplying no adhesion promoter to those edge faces of the window that areto be provided with the trim or in removing it again. Because these edgefaces are, as a general rule, polished so as to be smooth, this alreadyresults, without any primer treatment, if the worst comes to the worst,in poor adhesion of the polymer material to this surface, which can beeasily detached, if necessary, during the subsequent mounting of thewindow in bodywork. Measures of this kind would not apparently be takenwithin the context of the prior art of this kind mentioned at thebeginning.

[0014] Before the polymer material is applied, the said edge faces couldalso be coated with an adherent release agent which must similarly becompatible with the material of the window pane or panes, with thematerial of the adhesive layers and with the polymer of the trim. If thetrim is provided for subsequent application of an adhesive, by means ofwhich the finished window is adhesively bonded to vehicle bodywork, themounting adhesive must adhere impeccably to the polymer material. Itwould be possible to use, as release agents, for example, mineral waxes,chalk, mica, metal stearates or polyethylene glycol. Silicones are alsoeffective as a release agent, but they have negative properties(migration, surface seating and difficulty of removal) specifically asregards the direct bonding mentioned, which means that they can be usedonly to a limited extent for the applications involved here.

[0015] In a particularly preferred method of implementation, the polymermaterial is prevented from adhering to the edge face of the window byusing a mask in the form of a tape, band or strip, which is placed overthe corresponding edge face section, during production of the trim, andwhich is pulled off or removed therefrom after it has solidified.

[0016] Within the overall operation of manufacturing the trim or thewindow which is provided with it, the edge face of the window, before orafter it is placed on the moulding bed, is provided, in accordance withone method of implementing the process, with a mask whose width orheight corresponds at the very least to the thickness of the glass. Thewindow or the surface opposite the moulding bed is then cleaned, in aknown manner, and, on the edge side, in the region covered by thepolymer trim, is coated with an adhesion promoter/primer, the said maskpreventing the edge face from being wetted by the primer. The trim isnow applied, for example by direct spraying or extrusion. Once thepolymer material has become solid, the mask is removed.

[0017] The width of the mask mentioned has to be chosen so that it canbe gripped and pulled off, by hand or automatically, by the end whichprojects therefrom, when it still remains on the window after the latterhas been lifted out of the moulding bed. In another method ofimplementation, the mask is linked to the moulding bed in such a waythat the window can be lifted out of the moulding bed, aftermanufacture/solidification of the trim, the mask remaining in place inthe moulding bed.

[0018] The surface for contact between the mask and the trim of thewindow must, of course, be made in such a way that it provides a sealingeffect with respect to the primer. Pressing this contact surface(sealing surface) flush is particularly necessary when there is amisalignment between the individual panes of a composite window. Themask must then bear, in a sufficiently sealed manner, on the edge faceof the individual (free) pane lying at the top. It is of considerableimportance for the adhesive layer of the composite window not to comeinto (sealed) contact with the polymer material and also for ventilationto be able to take place from the exterior side of the mounted window.It is not, of course, absolutely necessary to keep the edge face(directed in the mounted state towards the passenger compartment) of thewindow, removed from the moulding bed, free over the entire width of thepolymer material.

[0019] Preferably, the mask can be reused several times. Furthermore, itis temperature resistant, in particular resistant to the activationtemperatures needed for applying the primer.

[0020] The seating surface (on the window side) mentioned above and thecontact surface (facing the polymer surround), on the other side, of themask may both have a surface structure, for example fine groovingperpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the trim. This groovingmakes it easier to remove the mask with as little friction as possibleafter the trim has been manufactured, without damaging the trim or thewindow. When the cross section of the mask has a slightly wedged shape,this also makes it easier for it to be detached from the (air) slotformed between the edge faces of the window and the finished trim.

[0021] One part of the mask, which protrudes as a gripping tab forremoving it, may project parallel to the edge of the glass,perpendicular to the moulding bed. Tabs of this kind absolutely must notextend over the entire length of the mask, but may be provided only insections as “gripping handles”. They may be made, for example, in soweak a manner that they let themselves be inverted, without any forcebeing exerted, when the window provided with the mask is placed on themoulding bed. However, it is preferably necessary to provide an angledstrip as the mask, which is angled inwards or outwards, at approximatelya right angle in the manner of a flange. A T-shaped cross section of theangled strip is also possible, the actual mask being formed from thestem of the T.

[0022] If the region which extends towards the outside (starting fromthe window) is angled, it may be used, be suitably profiled, as amoulding element for the profiled surround. If the region which projectsis angled inwards, it immediately forms, advantageously, the bearingsurface for the edge located at the bottom of the window placed in themoulding bed.

[0023] It is possible to use, as the mask, a thin flexible band which isfastened to the window by suitable means, for example by a temporary,releasable, bond. Just as with the application of the polymer material,this procedure may be mechanized. If the mask has to cover the entireperimeter of the window, it may be stretched over the edge face allaround the perimeter, if necessary, as a flexible band, provided thatthe edge of the window does not have too complex a design of perimeter(radii of curvature, shrinkage points, recesses).

[0024] In another method of implementation, it is possible to use, asmask, a rigid or flexible strip linked directly to the moulding bed,which matches the shape of the corresponding edge face of the window, assoon as the latter is placed in the moulding bed. This strip may also beproduced, for example, as a thin elastic lip made of a sufficientlystrong material. A strip mask positioned so as to be fixed in themoulding bed must be produced so as to correspond, however, veryprecisely to the perimeter outline of the window to be fitted and mustbe able to compensate for the inevitable variations in the dimensions ofthe surfaces of the windows in a manufacturing run, so that no slot, orat the very least so that only a minimal slot, appears between the maskand the edge face to be covered.

[0025] The moulding bed and its moulding surface in contact with thesurface of the window may be covered, in a known manner, with a layermade of an elastically deformable material. This serves as a bufferbetween the surfaces of the window and the moulding bed, which isusually made of metal. Among other things, it matches the surface of thewindow and makes it possible to achieve a good seal with the mouldingbed in the region of contact with the edge of the window. It would alsonow be possible to manufacture the mask from this elastic material and,if necessary, it could be made as a single piece with the elastic layerpresent in any case, the mask having to be made as a strip projectingfrom the layer.

[0026] It would also be possible, by suitable means, to produce a maskwhich would be placed in the moulding bed only after the window had beeninstalled and positioned along the edge to be covered and which would,if necessary, be adhesively bonded to the latter. It is necessary tostart from the principle that, after the window has necessarily beenfixed in the moulding bed, no excessively high force acts on the mask,even during extrusion or application of the profiled surround, which iscarried out virtually without any pressure. If necessary, this mask mayalso adhere slightly to the edge face of the window itself, providedthat the window can again be easily removed after the profited surroundhas been manufactured.

[0027] Although a window placed in the moulding bed has been describedhere, the process may also be carried out in an equivalent manner in aninclined or vertical position on windows pressed against a moulding bed.

[0028] The cross section of the profiled surround to be formed must alsobe precisely defined on the opposite side from the moulding bed. Therelevant prior art, discussed at the beginning, discloses variousoptions with a view to forming a moulding channel for the profiled crosssection. Use is made, in part, of a fixed upper mould. However, it isalso possible, doing away with a fixed upper mould, to prescribe,directly by means of the outline of the exit edges of a gauged extrusionnozzle, the cross-sectional shape of the profiled surround on theopposite side from the fixed moulding bed. For implementation of theprocess mentioned here and for the corresponding device, all embodimentsof the moulding channel which are disclosed therein may be taken intoaccount. If necessary, additional suitable moulds, in particular solidmoulds, may be used for injecting the polymer material. They areincluded in the disclosure of that application. It should be understoodthat measures are to be taken to prevent any adhesion of the polymermaterial to one of the fixed moulds.

[0029] An attractive aspect from the standpoint of the style of theprofiled surround may be obtained, according to an improvement to theprocess, by using a coloured polymer material, the colour of which ismatched to the structural environment of the window, for example to acolour of the bodywork in which the window is to be incorporated afterthe profiled surround has been produced. As a result, the relativelywide profiled surround fits in harmoniously, from the colour standpoint,with its surroundings.

[0030] Further details and advantages of the subject of the inventionwill become apparent from the drawing of the illustrative examples andfrom their detailed description which follows. The details of theprocess and of the device with regard to the primer and the manner offeeding and applying the polymer material for moulding the profiledsurround are of little importance here. Again, on this subject, thereader may refer to the detailed prior art mentioned at the beginning.

[0031] The drawing shows, as simplified representations:

[0032] in FIG. 1, a sectional view of the marginal region of a windowplaced on a moulding bed of an extruder, the edge face of the window,projecting from the moulding bed, being covered with a mask in the formof a band;

[0033] in FIG. 2, a detailed representation of the region of the edge ofthe window illustrated in FIG. 1, covered with a mask, in an additionalembodiment of the mask; and

[0034] in FIG. 3, an additional detailed representation, similar to FIG.2, of yet another embodiment of the mask.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, a window 1, produced as a composite window,rests with one edge 2 of its lower surface 3 on a mould surface 4 of amoulding bed 5, so that its edge face 6 projects from the mould surface.That region of the mould surface 4 which is in contact with the window 1is provided, in a known manner, with a relatively thin buffer layer 4.1made of an elastically deformable material. The moulding bed 5 thusforms, in a manner known per se, where appropriate, a peripheral bearingsurface for the window 1 and at the same time an extension of thesurface of the window 1 beyond its perimeter. It should be understoodthat the window 1 may also be positioned and fixed by suitable means toa non-peripheral moulding bed when, for example, a profiled surround hasto be manufactured only over a partial perimeter sector of the window 1.

[0036] The convex surface of the window, which bears on the moulding bed5, faces the outside when the window is mounted in vehicle bodywork.

[0037] Placed above the moulding bed 5 is an upper mould 7, which can bedismantled and removed, having a mould countersurface 8. On one side, itimmediately adjoins the mould surface 4 of the moulding bed, as part ofthe overall split mould while, on the other side, extending inwards asfar as beyond the edge of the window 1. The mould surface 4, the mouldcountersurface 8 and the edge face 6 together define, also in a knownmanner, an open moulding channel 9 for the purpose of manufacturing, byextrusion, a profited surround made of a polymer material.

[0038] The latter is introduced, in the present case, into the openingof the moulding channel by means of a gauged extrusion nozzle 10, whichis only partly indicated, so that the said polymer material can adhere,over a relatively thin band of the edge side, at the very least to thatsurface of the individual pane placed at the top, on the opposite sidefrom the moulding bed. This surface, has been provided with a primer,indicated as the thin layer 11, for the purpose of improving theadhesion. The primer may be applied directly to the material of thewindow or, as the case may be, in a known manner to the usual opaquedecorative rim of the window.

[0039] The walls of the moulding channel 9 define, together with themouth edges 10.1 of the extrusion nozzle 10, the set cross section ofthe said profiled surround which is applied to the window 1 over itsentire perimeter or over just part of it. In the longitudinal extensionof the profited surround, variations in its cross section mayfurthermore be made in the case of a corresponding embodiment of themould surfaces and, where appropriate, in the case of correspondingcontrol of the flow of material coming from the nozzle or of its rate ofadvance. The mouth edges 10.1 of the extrusion nozzle may, of course,also be shaped differently, as is described in the prior art.

[0040] As is apparent from the drawing, the mould surface 4 constitutesa “smooth” extension of that surface of the window 1 placed above it.The smooth transition of the window surface consequently also exactly,without any break, meets that surface of the profiled surround which, inthe mounted state, faces outwards. However, it is of course alsopossible to manufacture, in this transition region, depending on thestylistic and/or technical requirements, transitions “with a break” andtransitions of other designs and, if necessary, even ones with steps. Inall cases, that surface of the corresponding profiled surround which isformed by the moulding bed 5, or alternatively by the mould surfaces4/4.1, must be regarded as representing an extension of the surface 3 ofthe window 1.

[0041] The edge face 6 of the window 1 is, in the present case, providedwith a mask 12 in the form of a strip or band as thin as possible fittedso as to extend freely, the said mask preventing not only application ofthe adhesion promoter to the edge face 6 but also contact between thepolymer material (yet to be applied and not indicated solely for thepurpose of clarity) of the profiled surround and of the same edge face6. FIGS. 2 and 3 provide, for the purpose of further elucidation,detailed representations of other embodiments of the mask 12 on the edgeface 6.

[0042] The cross section in FIG. 2 explains that the mask 12 is producedas an angled strip, one side 12.1 of which constitutes the actual maskand the other side 12.2 of which is placed on the moulding bed 5. Themask side 12.1 bears, by means of a kind of sealing lip, on the edgeface of the individual pane located at the top of the composite window1. It is not absolutely necessary, as was already mentioned earlier, tokeep free of polymer material the complete edge face of the pane locatedat the top (in the mounted state, facing towards the passengercompartment). Again it will be seen that the cross section of the side12.1 used as the mask has a slight cuneiform shape, especially thinningdown in the direction from the moulding bed towards the free end (at thetop). As a result, the removal of this side from between the profiledsurround (when solidified) and the window 1 is also simplified.

[0043] The second side 12.2 of the angled strip is angled in this casein the manner of a flange in the opposite direction from the window 1 sothat its upper face also forms a partial section of the wall of themoulding channel 9. In the present case, this upper face is flush withthe mould surface 4 of the moulding bed 5, more specifically with thelayer 4.1 made of elastic material. However, it could also slightlyprotrude therefrom and consequently form, in the profiled surround, aflat groove along its line of contact with the edge face 6 of the window1. It is possible to provide between the edge face 6 and the mask 12, inall embodiments, an adhesive bond, which can be released, in order toguarantee that the mask bears on the edge face during manufacture of theprofiled surround. It is also possible to provide a releasable adhesivebond between the side 12.2 and the mould surface 4.

[0044] In the detailed representation shown in FIG. 3, the second side12.2 of the angled strip is angled towards the window 1 in such a waythat the edge of the window bears on the upper face of this side.Excluding the thin side 12.1 forming the mask, the moulding channel isconsequently bounded only by the mould surfaces 4/4.1 and 8. The secondside 12.2 is incorporated, again, into the layer 4.1 so as to be flushtherewith. In this way, the profiled surround, or alternatively itssurface formed by the moulding bed, meeting the surface 3 of the window,is prevented from forming a step with the surface of the window.

[0045] In all the methods of implementation, the polymer material may beintroduced into the moulding channel 9 by means of an extrusion nozzle,preferably controlled by a robot, according to the correct way ofpositioning the window 1 and the mask 12, so that its cross section canbe completely filled with the polymer material.

[0046] After the profiled surround has been manufactured and hassolidified and the upper mould 7 has been removed, the window 1 can belifted out of the moulding bed 5, the mask 12 being at the same timeremoved from the slot formed. Adhesion of the profiled surround, or ofthe polymer material with which it is made, to the edge face of thecomposite window is thus reliably prevented. It is possible,independently of the foregoing, to press the profiled surround, ifnecessary, with elastic deformation, loosely against the edge face 6 ofthe window 1 and completely close off, from the visual standpoint, theslot which is, in any case, very narrow. This will therefore be, inparticular, the case in the mounted state, when the profited surround(as indicated in the drawings) is provided with a protruding lip which,in the bodywork, rests, providing sealing and centring, on a flange of awindow opening and which consequently exerts, on the profiled surround,a certain compressive force directed towards the window.

[0047] Instead of the extrusion nozzle, it is also possible to use, forthe purpose of feeding the polymer material into the moulding channel, aspray device when the moulding channel is closed in the region of theupper face of the window 1, apart from the feed orifices for the polymermaterial. As far as the mask and the means of protecting the edge faceof the window from adhering to the polymer material are concerned, thisresults in no substantial modification.

1. Process for manufacturing a profiled surround, made of a polymermaterial, on a window (1), during which at least one partial section ofan edge region of a surface (3) of the window is in contact with amoulding bed (4, 5), the mould surface (4) of which constitutes anextension of this surface beyond its perimeter, the polymer materialbeing applied so as to adhere to at least one part of the perimeter ofthe surface of the window on the opposite side from the moulding bed, insuch a way that the profited surround projects beyond the outerperimeter of the window and also covers the edge face (6) projectingfrom the moulding bed, its external dimensions also being defined by themould surface of the moulding bed, characterized in that means are usedto prevent adhesion of the polymer material or of the profiled surroundformed from the latter to that edge face of the window which is coveredby the surround.
 2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe edge face of the window is not coated with an adhesion promoter orin that an adhesion promoter of this kind is removed from the edge facesbefore the profiled surround is applied.
 3. Process according to claim 1or 2, characterized in that the edge faces of the window are coated witha release agent.
 4. Process according to any one of the precedingclaims, characterized in that a mask (12) is placed on the edge face (6)of the window before the profiled surround is applied, this maskpreventing the edge face from being coated with an adhesion promoterand/or preventing the polymer material adhering to this edge surface. 5.Process according to claim 4, characterized in that the mask (12) isremovably fastened to the edge face (6) of the window and/or to themoulding bed (5).
 6. Process according to claim 4 or 5, characterized inthat a thin flexible band is used as mask.
 7. Process according to claim4 or 5, characterized in that an angled strip is used as mask, one side(12.1) of the strip forming the actual mask and the other side (12.2) ofthe strip being in contact with the moulding bed.
 8. Process accordingto claim 7, characterized in that the other side of the angled strip isused as part of the moulding surface and in that it projects from thedisc pressed against the moulding bed so as to be parallel with themoulding bed.
 9. Process according to claim. 7, characterized in thatthe other side of the angled strip is used as a bearing surface for therim of the disc pressed against the moulding bed, angling this towardsthe rim and supporting the rim.
 10. Process according to any one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the polymer material isdeposited on the disc and in the moulding bed by means of an extrusionnozzle, preferably a gauged one.
 11. Process according to any one ofclaims 1 to 9, characterized in that the polymer material is depositedon the window and in the moulding bed by an injection mould, whichdefines the cross section of the profiled surround in a mannercomplementary to the moulding bed.
 12. Process according to any one ofthe preceding claims, characterized in that a thermoplastic polymermaterial is used for the purpose of manufacturing the profited surround.13. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterizedin that use is made of a polymer material matched, in terms of colour,to the surroundings of the window when mounted, in particular to thecolour of the bodywork in which the window is to be mounted after theprofiled surround has been manufactured.
 14. Device, particularly forimplementing the process according to any one of the preceding claims,for the purpose of manufacturing a profited surround, made of a polymermaterial, preferably a thermoplastic, on a window (1), using a mouldingbed (5) for supporting at least one rim or edge region of a surface (3)of the window, the mould surface (4, 4.1) of which constitutes anextension of this surface (3) beyond its perimeter, with a tool (10) forapplying the polymer material to at least a portion of the perimeter ofthat surface of the window (1) which is on the opposite side from themoulding bed, in such a way that a profiled surround having definedexternal dimensions is produced, as an extension of that surface (3) ofthe window (1) which bears on the moulding bed (5), the said surroundextending beyond the perimeter of the window (1) and being bounded bythe mould surface of the moulding bed, which also covers the edge face(6) of the window projecting from the moulding bed (5), characterized inthat a mask (12) is furthermore provided for bearing against the edgeface (6) of the window before the profiled surround is applied, whichmask prevents the edge face (6) from being coated with an adhesionpromoter and/or prevents this profiled surround bearing against thisedge face.
 15. Process according to claim 14, characterized in that themask is formed as a band going around the edge face (6) of the window(1).
 16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that themask is provided with at least one extension protruding at least fromthe slot between the window and the profiled surround.
 17. Deviceaccording to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that themask (12) is formed by a side (12.1) of an angled strip, the other sideof which is in contact with the moulding bed (5) or alternatively withits mould surface (4, 4.1).
 18. Device according to any one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the surfaces of the mask (12)have a surface structure which reduces the friction between the polymermaterial and the material of the window on the one hand, and the mask onthe other.
 19. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the cross section of the mask (12, 12.1) has acuneiform shape for the purpose of making it easier to detach it fromthe (air) slot formed between the edge face (6) of the window and thefinished profiled surround.
 20. Composite window (1), in particular acomposite glass window, having at least two rigid panes and an adhesivelayer linking the latter, with a profiled surround applied to onesurface of one of the rigid panes, in accordance with a processaccording to claims 1 to 13, without any adhesive bonding between theedge faces and the adhesive layer.
 21. Composite window (1) according toclaim 20, the profiled surround of which is coloured for the purpose ofmatching it in terms of colour to the surroundings of the window whenmounted.